berth
noun
\ ˈbərth
\
\
Definition of berth
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
nautical
: sufficient distance for maneuvering a ship
Keep a clear berth of the shoals.
b
: an amount of distance maintained for safety
give the fire a wide berth giving him a wide berth until he is in a better mood
2a
: the place where a ship lies when at anchor or at a wharf
was docked at her usual berth
b
: a space for an automotive vehicle at rest
a truck-loading berth
3
: a place to sit or sleep especially on a ship or vehicle : accommodation
a comfortable cabin with a deep berth an upper berth
4a
: a billet (see billet entry 1 sense 2a) on a ship
waiting for a berth as a ship's surgeon— Bernard Keelan
berth
verb
berthed;
berthing;
berths
Definition of berth (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to bring (something, such as a ship or automotive vehicle) into a berth
The ship was berthed at this pier.
2
: to allot quarters or accommodations to : to allot a berth to
a place to berth the crew
: to come into a berth
where the ship typically berths
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Synonyms for berth
Synonyms: Noun
appointment, billet, capacity, connection, function, job, place, position, post, situation
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Examples of berth in a Sentence
Noun
a comfortable cabin with a deep berth He has a starting berth on the all-star team.Verb
The ship was berthed at this pier. The ship berthed at this pier.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The win clinched a second-round berth for the US, but only after Osman and Dogus Balbay went 0 for 4 from the line with Turkey up by 1 in the final seconds of overtime. — Tim Reynolds, BostonGlobe.com, "US narrowly avoids shocking upset in basketball World Cup," 3 Sep. 2019 Lake Erie is the first Frontier League team to clinch a playoff berth, Tahsler said. — Marc Bona, cleveland.com, "Crushers make playoffs, offer special playoff pass punch-card for fans," 28 Aug. 2019 After all, an August win for the Royals, who are 32½ games back of the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins, doesn’t carry much weight in the push for playoff berths. — Nicole Yang, BostonGlobe.com, "Quick resolution had a bright side for Royals," 22 Aug. 2019 BURBANK The Bulldogs returning Kirakosyan, a senior, who will be surrounded by a younger squad that will try to fight for a CIF Southern Section Division II playoff berth against a highly competitive Pacific League. — Vincent Nguyenstaff Writer, Burbank Leader, "Girls’ Tennis Preview: Plenty to look forward to for trio of teams," 21 Aug. 2019 The open job of most interest, of course, is quarterback, where senior Jake Luton and sophomore Tristan Gebbia are competing for a starting berth. — oregonlive.com, "Oregon State defense dominates Friday practice on the eve of a big public preseason scrimmage: Day 14 recap," 16 Aug. 2019 In 2007, the legislature appropriated $25 million for a dry berth, but the ship was structurally in such bad shape, that Bramlett said everyone agreed to spend the money on structural repairs. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Battleship Texas operator hopes ship will only close for a week," 12 Aug. 2019 The suspensions comes at a costly time for the Mercury (11-12), who are fighting for a playoff berth and already have four players out due to injury including Taurasi. — Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral, "WNBA suspends Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner for 3 games, Diana Taurasi for 1," 11 Aug. 2019 But there also is the accompanying emergence of the Nets, a team the Heat chased for last season's final playoff berth until the final Sunday of the season. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Winderman: Outside signings might prove more impactful to Heat | Commentary," 3 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The full-scape replica ship was built in England in the 1950s and has been berthed in Plymouth Harbor. — USA TODAY, "‘Molly of Denali,’ saloon discourse, ashes by mail: News from around our 50 states," 10 July 2019 Other stations have berths for space tourists, but very few aggressively focus on ferrying the super rich to low-earth (LEO) orbit. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "A 10-Year Odyssey: What Space Stations Will Look Like in 2030," 10 June 2019 Toyota vehicles bound for shipment sit near a vehicle carrier ship berthed at the Nagoya Port in Tokai, Japan. — Paul Hannon, WSJ, "Trade Friction Stymies Growth in Germany and Japan," 14 Feb. 2019 The group now known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula launched its first major attack on Americans in October 2000, when its operatives bombed the USS Cole while the destroyer was berthed in Yemen’s Aden harbor. — Mike Pompeo, WSJ, "The U.S.-Saudi Partnership Is Vital," 27 Nov. 2018 The first Dragon berthed with the station in May of last year. — Michael Belfiore, Popular Mechanics, "Orbital Sciences' Cygnus Berths with Space Station," 30 Sep. 2013 The intruders boarded the World War II-era vessel, which is berthed in a New Jersey river, and opened underwater hatches, flooding the sub. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "World War II-era submarine flooded by vandals in New Jersey," 16 Aug. 2018 In early November 2019, the ship will make its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to Miami where it will be berthed for Caribbean cruising. — Phil Marty, chicagotribune.com, "Scaling the Swiss Alps on trains and trams, ranking road-trip friendly states and more," 27 June 2018 While many complain about how much baseball has changed lately, success stories are berthed out of those who adapt. — Michael Beller, SI.com, "Eduardo Escobar Is the Latest Success Story of the Launch Angle Revolution," 13 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'berth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for berth
berth
noun
English Language Learners Definition of berth
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a place to sleep on a ship, train, etc.
: a place in the water near the shore where a ship stops and stays
chiefly US
: a place or position on a team
berth
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of berth (Entry 2 of 2)
: to bring (a ship) into a place where it can stop and stay : to bring (a ship) into a berth
See the full definition for berth in the English Language Learners Dictionary
berth
noun
\ ˈbərth
\
\